CARPE MOMENTUM

By Brian D. Molitor | September 6, 2012

“Carpe diem” Every so often, this Latin phrase reemerges into daily life. While it is generally translated “seize the day” it is better translated “pluck or harvest the day when it is the ripest”. It is thought that the originator of the concept is a poet named Horace who was seizing his own days from 65 BC to 8 BC. I have always liked the concept and know people who have the phrase taped either to their bathroom mirror or refrigerator door, so that every morning they are reminded to make the most of the day.

Good concept, but brother Horace had a bit more time and flexibility than those of us here in this century. While his life may have been very full, Horace did not have to contend with Facebook “friends” eager to share photos of lattes with little swirls on top, or with a smart phone that screamed for his attention 24/7 with a wide assortment of ring tones announcing another e mail, text or call, or with his 90 inch big screen TV whose 501 channels called for equal time, or…or…or…

Nope, in today’s world, we rarely have a full day to seize, pluck or play with. Instead, when we factor in all of life’s demands, loud voices and obligations we are left with moments, not days, to be seized. No sense complaining…it is our current reality. So, how do we respond? Time machine, perhaps? Set the dials for around 50 BC to do a little day seizing with Horace in his prime? Sorry, not going to happen.

So, our best option is a slight twist on Horace’s approach to life. I call it “Carpe MOMENTUM”. Pluck the moment. It works like this. In the midst of the madness of life, seize a few quiet minutes to rest, reflect, recharge. You may not be able to disappear for an entire day, but you can likely take a mini mental vacation to enjoy life’s blessings. Instead of working through your lunch hour…[or is it just 20 minutes?] turn off your phone and computer to truly enjoy the daily bread you have been given. Clock out at 5 or whenever you are done for the day and take the long way home, just to see things you haven’t seen for a while.